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It all started in Scotland and the momentum remains unbroken. That fateful night at Hampden represented only Luis de la Fuente's second as Spain's manager; many believed it might turn out to be his last assignment. Despite two Scott McTominay goals overcoming the Spanish national team, whereas almost all spectators anticipated his tenure would be short-lived, the coach talked about a route opening - and interestingly, the man once accused of living in Disneyland proved correct.

Three years and later, Spain advanced extremely close of World Cup qualification, while simultaneously racking up their twenty-ninth consecutive official game without defeat, matching the historic record.

Pedri's Influence and Decisive Contribution

On a night when Pedri featured and Mikel Merino made the difference, Spain overcame Bulgaria four-nil to secure a perfect dozen from twelve in World Cup qualification, nearing advancement. The Arsenal midfielder and occasional forward netted the first two goals and might have earned his second hat-trick in three recent Spain matches but when fouled in the closing minute, he selflessly passed the penalty to Mikel Oyarzabal instead.

Therefore it was La Real striker, scorer of the winning goal in the European Championship final, who maintained the remarkable sequence, equaling what Vicente del Bosque's golden generation accomplished between 2010 and 2013.

Record Equaled

Currently, you might have noticed the symbol, and correctly so. While FIFA might not classify it as a defeat, during this remarkable run Spain actually suffer defeat once – 7-5 on penalties to Portugal in the continental tournament final back in June. However formally at least, this present team has matched that legendary squad against which all Spanish national teams are measured.

Win in Georgia in a month and the record will be exclusively theirs. Along the way they captured the Nations League in 2023, the European Championships in 2024 and advanced to a Nations League final in 2025; they approach 2026 sitting No. 1, among the frontrunners once more, reminiscent of old times.

Complete Domination

The match represented "only" versus Bulgaria, admittedly, just as previous encounters against Georgia, Bulgaria, and Turkey but that's four victories from four outings, aggregate score 15-0. There were two moments immediately after La Selección obtained their opening goals – the third being an self-inflicted – but eventually their opponents had not been permitted a solitary shot on target.

Overall statistics read: 33-3, Spain demonstrably being Spain. Bulgaria's coach had confessed the only objective his team could have was to hold out as long as they could. As it turned out, that defensive effort lasted 33 minutes, and Merino's header constituted Spain's eighteenth attempt on target by that point.

Pedri's Masterclass

The display was about the entire team, but at the core of it was Pedri, everywhere and elusive simultaneously: present for Spain, nowhere for Bulgaria, incapable to track him as he darted through their lines. He completed 101 passes by the time he was substituted to a rapturous applause on the sixty-sixth minute, and his were the moments of greatest subtlety, the most exquisite touches and the most incisive as well.

When the Valladolid stadium chanted his name midway the opening period, he had just drifted unmarked into the penalty box once more, chipping his shot over Svetoslav Vutsov and onto the woodwork, but it was not just that. He had already floated a gorgeous pass into Álex Baena to volley wide and pulled an additional pass from which Baena was denied.

Continued Pressure

A disguised pass had created opportunity for Samu Aghehowa up for what should have been the first goal, and a precise lay-off saw Oyarzabal scuff his attempt. He received a opportunity of his own only to be unable to find a proper connection, striking wide.

But then, shortly after, he delivered an additional ball in. This time Robin Le Normand nodded across and Merino headed in. Spain, who had eighty-eight percent of the ball, now had the advantage. The positioning chart appeared like they had exhausted supply of marking paint half way through and a moment later Aghehowa could have made it two.

Brief Resistance

But then in part it's the uncertainty, even the unfairness, that makes football special. And the first time Bulgaria got into Spain's half they might have leveled the score, Kiril Despodov abruptly sprinting away and hitting the side-netting.

Introduced for Aghehowa at the break, Borja Iglesias had multiple opportunities in as many minutes before Merino scored once more. The delivery from the left was excellent from Álex Grimaldo and there, jumping above everyone, was Merino to direct the header downward and dash off to do laps round the flagpost.

Final Moments

As they had after the opener, Bulgaria survived once more, Despodov sent through and sending his and their following shot wide and nevertheless the initial instance the away team had a shot on target it was at the incorrect goal, Atanas Chernev turning into his team's goal. Yet it was not completely done, Merino kicked in the legs and allowing to let Oyarzabal smash in the ninety-ninth goal of De la Fuente's ongoing tenure.